Inspiring Convert Story-13

"I have found what I was looking
for"

I WAS BORN on July 13, 1954 in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, the City of Brotherly Love—a place of
history, teeming with customs and culture much well-known for the
diversity of the people living in it.

My parents raised me in the Catholic faith.
Although my family was not an avid follower of its traditions and
beliefs, this was the only religion that I knew while I was growing
up. Yet, even at a young age, I had always wondered about the
lessons taught to us in Catechism classes. Most of the teachings I
heard, for example, the divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ did
nothing to convince me to be devoted as a Catholic. Instead, the
explanations given by the priests, or lack thereof, only led to me
conclude that it was not the true religion.

I tried attending the services other
churches to fill the void of religion in my life. But after
listening their doctrines, I came to the conclusion that there
really was no one true church. At that point, I wouldn't say that I
totally gave up, but I decided that it was easier not to belong to
any church at all.

Upon graduating from
high school, I decided to forego a college education and go to
work right away. I always prided myself in being a hard worker and I
knew that with dedication I could be successful. In 1976, I found a
job in sweater factory where I met Brother David Salvador and
Brother Evangelista, members of the Church of Christ They were the
ones who first mentioned the Church to me and eventually invited me
to attend a worship service. My first reaction was to turn
down their invitation because I did not want to be disappointed. I
was convinced then that the Church to which they belong was just
another one in a long line of churches I had seen before. I
casually told them that I wasn't interested.

My reluctance did not deter them from constantly
inviting me. In every conversation that I had with either of them,
the subject of the Church always seemed to come up. At one point,
Brother Roger asked me what religion I belonged to. I told him that
I was a Catholic. Upon knowing this he told me the unscriptural
teaching of my church. What he said deeply offended me. Even though
I was not a devout Catholic, I could not sit idly and have my
religion be disparaged. Right then and there, I told myself that I
would accept his invitation just to prove to him that his church is
not the true church either.

The following night, I attended a Bible study
conducted by Brother Andy Suarez at the house of Brother David. The
lesson was about the messenger of God. I listened intently and I
made sure that I understood everything so that I could turn the
table on him with questions. When he finished preaching, I jumped at
the first chance to inquire. But Brother Suarez not only answered
all of my questions satisfactorily but he also answered every one of
them directly from the Bible. This was something that I had not seen
in any of the other churches I had been to. Brother Suarez had full
command of the Scriptures and he was right in front of me reading
the answers to my questions directly from the Bible. Afterwards,!
knew that this was not just another church.

Immediately, I decided to attend instructions on
biblical doctrines to find out more about the Church of Christ and
its teachings. In time, I enlisted as a doctrinal instructee. Little
by little, with every lesson I heard, I became enlightened. I could
not wait to be baptized, for I realized that I had found what I had
been looking for.

On June 24,1978,1 was baptize in the house of
worship of the Church of Christ in Long Island City, New York. After
being disappointed for so many times by the different churches that
I attended, I finally belong to the one true Church. There is no
doubt in my mind that I am in the right course that will lead me to
salvation.

At present, I am a deacon in the local
congregation of Philadelphia. I have also been blessed in my family
life. I am married to Sister Asuncion a deaconess, and we have a
son, Mark, who is a choir member. Together, we have dedicated
ourselves to the duties entrusted to us.

I have dedicated myself to let no obstacle stand
in the way of performing my duty. I know this to be a blessing from
God. □